To hell with inflation: According to the American Automobile Association (AAA), Americans are taking their summer trips seriously this year. In fact, in a recent press release, the organization estimates that 42.3 million Americans will travel at least 50 miles from home this Memorial Day weekend (Thursday, May 25 through Monday, May 29) — a 7% increase. compared to the previous year.
In addition to air travel, which is likely to exceed pre-pandemic levels, an estimated 37.1 million people will travel to their vacation destinations, a 6% increase from 2022. In other words, if you thought traffic was bad last year, let us know on the road with more than two million extra drivers.
Luckily, AAA has made some predictions about the best and worst times to tour this Memorial Day weekend. Here’s what you should know.
The best and worst times for driving this Memorial Day weekend
Using data from INRIX, a company that provides insight into the transportation space, experts from AAA have determined that these are the best and worst times to take to the streets this Memorial Day weekend:
Thursday, May 25th
- worst time: 3pm-6pm
- Best time: Before 1 p.m
Friday May 26th
- worst time: 3pm-6pm
- Best time: Before 12 o’clock
Saturday May 27th
- Minimal traffic impact is expected
Sunday May 28th
- Minimal traffic impact is expected
Monday, May 29th
- worst time: 12pm-3pm
- Best time: Before 10 a.m
Tuesday, May 30th
- worst time: 4pm-6pm
- Best time: Before 2 p.m. / After 6 p.m
Overall traffic is expected to be at its worst on Friday. So plan accordingly. If your road trip also takes you near one or more of the country’s largest metropolitan areas, AAA provides additional information on peak congestion times by city and route.
The good news is that leisure travelers won’t be spending as much on gas this year. As of Memorial Day weekend in 2022, the national average was more than $4 a gallon; It is currently priced at around $3.55 per gallon. However, as Bob Pishue, transportation analyst at INRIX, points out, there is a downside to this as well.
“With lower fuel prices and more travelers on the road compared to last year, motorists should expect lengthy delays this holiday weekend, particularly in and around major metropolitan areas as commuters mix with travelers on Memorial Day,” he said in the AAA press release .